ON THE WINGS OF FASHION; TICKLING ONE'S FANCY IN VARIETY OF WAYS.Byline: Rita Brinkhus Special to the Daily News All those feathers in ``Veronica's Closet'' - not to be confused with Victoria's Secret - have tickled our fancy. Long associated with the finery of Old Hollywood, feather boas and fluffy feather-trimmed clothes are hot again, showing up in the collections of big-name designers such as Valentino, Dolce dol·ce Music adv. & adj. In a gentle and sweet manner. Used chiefly as a direction. [From Italian, sweet, from Latin dulcis.] Adv. 1. & Gabbana, Armani, Givenchy, Christian Lacroix, Thierry Mugler and Yves St. Laurent. These fashion icons have engaged in this plumaged indulgence and set off a flock of trendy knockoffs in all price ranges, seen on everything from fans to fantasy gowns by Jessica McClintock, Zum Zum and Bonjour. Bill Bigler, fashion director for Macy's West stores, said, ``Feathers are flying ... now through next fall. One of the hottest trends this season is the application of feathers on clothing and accessories, whether it's a trim detail on a camisole camisole /cam·i·sole/ (kam´i-sol) [Fr.] straitjacket; a jacketlike device for restraining the limbs, particularly the arms, of a violently disturbed patient. , slip dress or handbag.'' He added that his stores have focused on feathers in the young women's department, with black marabou-trimmed prom gowns, camisole tops and cardigan sweaters. The feathers that are most popular are marabou marabou: see stork. marabou African stork (Leptoptilos crumeniferus). Standing 5 ft (1.5 m) tall with a wingspread of 8.5 ft (2.6 m), the marabou is the largest of all storks. , the fluffy little stork feather that look like tufts of fur on necklines and peignoirs, and the stiffer turkey feathers used in dramatic boas. But designers also have plucked duck, ostrich and peacock feathers to wear as ruffs and cuffs, to spiff up hats and tiaras, and dangle dangle Nursing A popular term for the first movement a Pt is allowed, either after surgery under general anesthesia, or 'under local', where the recuperee allows his/her feet to dangle over the side of the bed on the ends of leather cords wrapped around the neck like a bolo tie. Fluffy marabou also has shown up in lingerie and department stores, spiffing spiff Informal tr.v. spiffed, spiff·ing, spiffs To make attractive, stylish, or up-to-date: spiffed up the old storefront. n. up boudoir slippers and robes at Victoria's Secret and saucy teddies at Frederick's of Hollywood Frederick's of Hollywood is a well known retailer of lingerie in the United States, with stores in many modern shopping malls across the USA. The business was started by Frederick Mellinger (inventor of the push-up bra) in 1946. . At junior stores such as Contempo Casual and Rampage, you'll find feather-trimmed picture frames and mirrors, while Nordstrom has a collection of pink-feathered boas and shoes designed for little girls who like to play dress-up. Grown-up grown-up adj. 1. Of, characteristic of, or intended for adults: grown-up movies; a grown-up discussion. 2. women who want to play dress-up can pretend they're Audrey Hepburn at the races At The Races is a British television channel, originally co-founded with Channel 4, but now owned by a partnership between British Sky Broadcasting, Arena Leisure PLC and 28 (out of the 59) UK racecourses. at Ascot with Edwardian-inspired hats available at a number of department stores as well as the J. Peterman Co. Catalog, which features a black felt design with an upturned brim and sweep of delicate feathers. So, why the passion for plumage plumage, of birds: see feathers. ? According to Elena Hart, spokeswoman for the New York-based Fashion Association of designers and retailers, feathers are part of the nostalgia cycle we're in. ``They're a wonderful alternative to fur, are fun, and a little adventurous. They're also part of our glamorous Hollywood past, especially the '30s, '40s and '50s reflected in such films as `Evita' and `L.A. Confidential,' '' she said. Neiman Marcus spokeswoman Beverly Morgan sees feathers as a beautiful contemporary accessory, whether on a sophisticated suit or a dainty feather-trimmed purse. ``Although feathers are fun, save them for evening. They really don't belong in the office, unless you're in a creative industry,'' she said. When shopping for feathered goods, Morgan suggested, look for garments in which the feathers are detachable. ``Feathers can't be dry cleaned, so you'll end up paying a lot for your garment to be spot cleaned. Also, avoid crushing them in the closet. They should be treated like fur or leather by storing in a cloth bag, which allows them to breathe,'' she advised. FEATHERS ON FILM In L.A., folks sent fur flying, but they've really warmed up to feathers. Always a glamorous accent, feathers were a fave fave Informal n. One that is preferred above others or likely to win; a favorite. adj. Favorite. [Short for favorite.] with Greta Garbo in the '20s, Barbra Streisand in the late '60s and now with Kirstie Alley in TV's ``Veronica's Closet.'' So, go ahead, pluck a few ... you'll be in good company: Juliette Binoche Bette Midler Ashley Judd Cher Goldie Hawn Vivica Fox Andie MacDowell Jennifer Tilly Diana Ross - Rita Brinkhus CAPTION(S): 6 Photos, Box Photo: (1) Marlene Dietrich as Shanghai Lily in ``Shanghai Express.'' (2) Jennifer Tilly in the CBS (Cell Broadcast Service) See cell broadcast. miniseries ``Bella Mafia.'' (3) Bette Midler dragged a big boa to the 1994 Emmy Awards. (4) Alison Elliott wears a feather tiara in ``The Wings of the Dove.'' (5) For glam nights, top your dress with a marabou-trimmed jacket, by Kenzo in Beverly Hills. (6) Lida Baday's cocktail dresses sizzle siz·zle intr.v. siz·zled, siz·zling, siz·zles 1. To make the hissing sound characteristic of frying fat. 2. To seethe with anger or indignation. 3. when accented with a dramatic turkey feather boa. Box: FEATHERS ON FILM (See Text) |
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